All Fat Joe wanted to do was “lean back” after a good meal at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. But instead the rapper got booted for a dress code violation he says was reminiscent of the Old South.

Don Cartegena was stunned last week when he and his entourage were asked to leave the popular steak house, while in North Carolina … and even more stunned by the fact the manager who made the request was black.

Joe says attire has never been an issue for him or his entourage at high-end restaurants around the world … and he’s especially hurt that they were hassled by someone they felt should be on their side.